200 Sunsets

Tonight I watched my 200th sunset of 2008. Each one was different. Here's some samples of the photos I took. Below the photos I'll tell you why I did it and what I discovered.

December 30, 2008

At the beginning of 2008 I made several commitments. One was to watch 200 sunsets. My criteria for it to count was I had to be outside around dusk, either during, right before, or right after the sun went down. I also had to pause, take it in, and pray. I wrote down the date of each one in my PDA and tonight (a day early), grateful to God, I met my goal. Here's what I discovered.

1. No two sunsets are the same. I'm blown away by God's variety.
2. The colors are richer AFTER the sun goes down.
3. It is so easy to miss the change from day to night. You get busy and all of a sudden it is dark outside.
4. We tend to start our days when we wake up. But God set it up so the new day begins at sunset. It is AWESOME to end your day at sunset, and begin a new one with dinner, family, sleep and THEN work.
5. The colors in the sky change dramatically at dusk. It is a good reminder for God to do his transformation in me.
6. A few minutes to pause and reflect make a huge difference in my day.
7. Getting off the freeway to watch a sunset is a great idea.
8. The green flash is real.
9. My longest sunset was on a plane flying west from Europe. Although it didn't count because I wasn't outside (fortunately) it was awesome.
10. God seems bigger when I watch a sunset.

What about you? Have any sunset stories?

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This is Christmas

My "virtual friend" Ed Stetzer recommended this Christmas video on his blog. It moved me to tears. Sit back and enjoy:

Casting Crowns I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

Whatever You Need, God Is

"He who has God and many other things has no more than he who has God alone." ~ C. S. Lewis


At Christmastime it is easy to focus on what we are missing. Whether it is family members to surround us, friends to celebrate with, money to spend, or simply time to get everything done . . . this season can accentuate our lack.

Perhaps we have forgotten our best resource. We know Him as Jesus, but in the first chapter of the New Testament, God's Son is also introduced by another name. Matthew mentions His Old Testament name, which is Immanuel (Matthew 1:23). It is a Jewish name, and fortunately Matthew translates the name for us. Immanuel literally means, "God with Us."

Here then, is the amazing truth of Christmas: This God, who we have meditated on these past weeks, is revealed in the Bible as For Us, Wise, Faithful, Able, Just, Light, and Love (among other things). This Holy God is also the God who is with us in Jesus. Amazing! All that we ever needed resides with us and in us through the Spirit of Jesus.

Here's my prayer for you, as we move into Christmas: May God meet your every need, primarily and ultimately, with Himself. Because whatever you need, God is.

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Just got our tree up!

Our tree and son playing piano

Mystery Worshipper

Last Sunday, we had a surprise guest in the service -- a writer for the San Diego Reader who visits churches unannounced and writes reviews. He introduced himself after the service. As you can imagine, I was eager (and nervous) to see what he would write. You can view his article by clicking here.

Or watch the YouTube video he put together here. (The name of his column is Sheeps & Goats).


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Is love enough?

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. 1John 4:7

John, who penned the words above, is sometimes called the Apostle of Love; so prominent is love in his writing.

What is amazing though is that John wouldn't have always been characterized that way. If you read about him when he was a young disciple of Jesus, he was hot-tempered and fiery. On one occasion, John suggested that Jesus call fire down from heaven and burn up an entire Samaritan village just for being rude. No wonder Jesus nicknamed John "the Son of Thunder."

But over time, God slowly molded John into a man of love. In fact, there is a legend, although it can't be verified for certain, that on John's deathbed, people gathered around him and begged for one last word. After all, he was the last living apostle.

The legend says that he breathed these words, "Love one another."

"Is there more?" they asked.

"That is enough," John replied.

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we can get distracted in so many ways. As we honor God's most tangible expression of love, may He shape us into people who reflect His love in growing measures every day. That is enough.

Ancient Stained Glass Windows

If we walk in the light, as [God] is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
(1 John 1:7).

Some people falsely think that those who claim to walk in the light, are always perfect. But according to the context of the above passage (1 John 1:5-10), that is actually the definition of walking in darkness. Only those who walk in darkness claim to be without sin (1 John 1:8).

Rather walking in God's light means being authentic. It means being genuine. It means agreeing with God that we have flaws and giving Him permission to change us (1 John 1:9).

The only light we have to offer this dark world is God's light as it shines through us. It turns out; those who walk in God's light are a lot like ancient stained glass windows. When you look closely you will see some flaws and imperfects, yet they are stunningly glorious when the light of the Son shines through.

3 reasons we need God as a consuming fire

I've been running a survey for the past several weeks (the survey is located on the right side of my blog) to see what "God is…" statements of the New Testament are most meaningful for people. If you look at the results of the survey you'll notice that only one choice has received no votes (that is, until just now when someone voted for it). It comes from Hebrews 12:29, "for our 'God is a consuming fire.'"

Let me suggest three reasons why we need God as a consuming fire.

1. We need to see God as a consuming fire to remind us that He is absolutely holy and should be respected.

From the earliest age, we learn that fire is something we should take seriously. It is dangerous and powerful. In the same way, God is good but He is not safe (a line from the Chronicles of Narnia). We need a healthy fear of God.

2. We need to see God as a consuming fire to remind us that if we draw close to Him, He will purify us.

Fire destroys what it cannot purify, but it purifies what it cannot destroy. Fire, in the Bible, is often an image of God's ability to burn away impurities in order to make us pure. He sometimes even uses trials to help us see what is really lasting. God loves us, but He doesn't leave us the way we are. He purifies us as we walk with Him.

3. We need to see God as a consuming fire to remind us that, through the death of Jesus, He has consumed all that separates us from Him.

In the pioneer days, on the prairie lands, people would sometimes find themselves about to be consumed by fire. Camped in the middle of the prairie they would see the flames of a wildfire approaching. Knowing that even their horses could not outrun the flames, they would start a fire on the ground upon which they stood. They then would stand on that burned patch of ground. The prairie fire would sweep by along the edge of the burned patch, but ultimately pass them by.

On the cross, God burned a patch of earth. His wrath poured out on Jesus. And those who stand in that place are saved by His consuming fire.

Thank God that He is a consuming fire.

A trip back to Westmont

We got a call Sunday night that Chris was invited to be at Westmont for a gathering specifically for the handful of students whose dorms were lost. We spent all day yesterday travelling and removing all the stuff from his room as he will be relocated to a new dorm when he returns after Thanksgiving. The good news, there was only smoke and water damage to his stuff, and most of his stuff will be redeemable. Not such good news for the guys in the story above him who lost everything to the fire. It actually was a long but remarkable day.

In the photo: Me, Chris, and his roommate Lawrence.

Update: Westmont fires

We just got some good news last night. Chris' RA called him, had seen his room, and said, while the upstairs was destroyed by the fire, that where he lived, downstairs, was relatively unscathed. Just some water damage, but it looks like a lot of his belongings may be redeemable. We'll see when we are allowed back on campus.

Chris is home with us. We are unsure if anything remains of his school possessions but we are glad to have him home!

Westmont fires

We were up a lot of the night following the fires at Westmont college where our son is a freshman. There was significant damage to the campus and its buildings but Chris and all the students are OK. They spent the night in the gym. It looks like his dorm was lost so he is coming home today with the clothes on his back. Thanks for your prayers for us and for the whole Westmont community.

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An Audience of One

Imagine that the script of your life was turned into a hit theatrical play. The drama of your life goes public. And on opening night, the theatre is filled with both raving fans as well as the ever-present critics.

Who matters most to you to you? Your critics? They can be brutal. It doesn't take much. Just a few words. Do your critics matter most to you?

Or would you say your fans matter the most? Are they the ones you want to please? Is it their admiration that you seek?

In the Bible, Paul had his own share of critics and fans. But he never let them set the course for his life or ministry. Instead, when he was accused by his critics of playing to his fans he said:

You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed -- God is our witness. 1 Thess. 2:5

Paul refused to be swayed by his critics or his fans. Instead he lived his life for an audience of One. He cared most about the applause of Heaven.

For you and me, if God is not our witness, then we will always be tempted to play to the wrong audience. That is, we will be tempted to look to people for our approval. We will find ourselves making decisions and operating our lives for the admiration of people rather than the affirmation of Jesus.

Today, remember God is your witness. Only He sees what is in your heart. It is only His ovation that matters. Live for an audience of One.

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Free Burritos

Here is a recent family outing to Chipotle for free burritos (as long as we dressed like a chipotle burrito; i.e. in aluminum foil).

Awesome quote

"The repentance that really changes your heart and your relationship with God begins when you recognize that your main sin -- the sin under the rest of your sins -- is your self-salvation project."

Timothy Keller, The Reason for God

God is able

I love the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from the Bible. Their words inspire me. You may remember that they were about to be martyred because of their unwillingness to worship anything other than the True God of Heaven. At the last minute, the reigning monarch gives them an opportunity to change their strategy. Instead this is their conviction …

If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Dan. 3:17-18

Where does that confidence come from? Their theology! It was rooted and anchored in what they believed about God!

"…the God we serve is able…"

But notice this: They were not predicting that God would deliver them (although that's exactly what happened), but that God could deliver them. That is how faith operates. It is enough to know that God is able.

And if we truly believe that God is all-powerful, then if he doesn't do what we expect Him to do, it isn't because His hands were tied, but because He has an unseen plan. It is not because He is limited, but because I am. I just don't know all the options.

None of us knows God's script for our lives. But we know that God has the power to do whatever is best for us and those we care about. That is enough.

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Decision-making and Peace

People often make decisions based on whether or not they have a "peace about it." But is that the best gauge?

I'm not sure it is. Because sometimes when people say, "I have a peace about it," what they mean is that they are choosing the easier, safer route. Or simply avoiding the right thing to do.     

So instead of "having a peace about it," I would recommend that your decision be grounded in the God of Peace. Here are five questions I suggested in my message to ask yourself to help discover if your decision is grounded in the God of Peace (to hear the biblical grounding and commentary listen to the message online at http://www.greenvalleychurch.com/mainmenu.html) .

What would help me and others experience God?

1 Cor. 14:19-25

Which option will most strengthen me and others?

1 Cor. 14:26

Where should I bite my tongue?

1 Cor. 14:27-28

How much weight do my godly friends give it?

1 Cor. 14:29

Does it lead to peace, not disorder?

1 Cor. 14:30-33

I'd love to talk to you for an hour

Many people think that a pastor spends most of his time talking and meeting with people. You'd be surprised how much time is actually spent in administration, message preparation and study, research, planning, and just doing the business of the church.

Still, I love those times when I can spend some unhurried time, talking with people about what matters most - God.

Like with Ben. I met with Ben for tea yesterday. Man, I was encouraged.

Or Jacob. Jacob recommended we meet at 8:30 in the evening for sushi. I loved it. The raw fish AND the conversation about God.

In a few minutes I'm meeting with a pastor from our area that I've never met. I even think he's buying tea. I'm looking forward to the mutual encouragement.

So here's an offer for my blog faithful. If one of you wants to meet this Friday at 4 pm, I'd love to take some time, encouraging each other in our faith. Let's meet at the church. It's not that I'm not available other times, but sometimes we all just need something on the calendar to make it happen.

The first one to ask, gets the spot. You can either comment on the blog post, or if you'd rather not be that public, email me at doug@greenvalleychurch.com

Let's be encouraged!

UPDATE: Within 3 hours I got a taker! Cool.


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The cross is so counter-intuitive

1CO 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

The cross is so counter-intuitive. That which seems like defeat is actually victory. That which seems like weakness is actually strength. That which seems like tragedy is actually is triumph. With the cross, God turned the worst into the best.

To many, in biblical times and today, the cross seems ridiculous. Before Jesus, the cross was a symbol of death, crime, and shame.

Imagine if we were able to assemble some of the world's wisest people to solve the problem of evil in the world. What would they recommend?

The educator would say, "People just need more information. They need to be taught to lift themselves out of circumstances." The moralist would say, "People just need to try harder. We must set up an effective system of reward and punishment. Then everyone will be good." The political activist would opt for policy reform. The entertainer says you just need to razzle-dazzle them; amuse them, and keep them from thinking too much. The pop psychologist would blame it on your parents.

But God didn't consult the world experts. Instead, He said, "This is how I will do it. I will come to earth myself, be born to an unmarried couple. I will live in obscurity for 30 years. I will wander as an itinerant preacher. I will live in poverty. I will make enemies with the powerful and the influential. Instead I will surround myself with a group of men who culture has overlooked. I will go to Jerusalem, straight into their snare, and I will be beaten and I will be killed like a criminal." And to that, the educator, moralist, activist, entertainer, and psychologist would say, "Foolish, foolish."

But to those who have experienced the power of the cross, O, the wisdom of God!

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The Video I showed in Church last Sunday

This video was fun to make. It was single take with a borrowed camera, and I recruited a stranger who was just reading on the beach to help me shoot it. I didn't catch his name, but if he's watching, THANKS!

Beach Baptism

I'm soaking in this beautiful Saturday morning and thinking about the amazing weekend ahead. Baptism is one of my very favorite events in the life of our church. It reminds me how much I love being a pastor. I never get tired of hearing the stories of transformed and committed lives. Over the years, we’ve baptized well over 200 people at the beach. And tomorrow I’m hoping we’ll baptize another 20 plus. And each story is amazing.

We meet at Torrey Pines State Beach Lifeguard station #4. Get there early or shoot for 3 pm (it takes awhile to park). Dinner will be served at 4 pm with the baptism immediately following. This is one of the coolest things we do as a church. We often have people come from great distances to be here. You'll be glad you came!

One day Jesus had a conversation with a woman. And the conversation got pretty personal. Especially as Jesus dealt with some of the poor moral choices that she has made in her life (in this case, her failure in six different relationships). Jesus looked deep into her heart and revealed her pain and emptiness.

That’s why I’m so surprised by her response: "Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem." John 4:19-20

Did you notice what happened? Jesus addresses an extremely deep heart issue. But instead of facing the internal issues of her soul, this woman opts for a surface fix. It’s as if she says, “It doesn’t matter about my past moral failures, or my empty life … as long as I figure out the right mountain to worship on, I’m good to go.” It would be comical if it wasn’t so typical.

How easy it is for us, to try that to fix deep issues with quick external changes. But we will never be healed by surface makeovers. Instead, as Jesus counseled the woman, we must allow His Spirit to change us from the inside out (See John 4:21-24).

A great prayer is found in Psalm 139:23-24:

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in
me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

As Jesus looks within your heart, invite Him by His Spirit to uncover any anxious thoughts or offensive ways, and let Him begin a spiritual transformation from within.

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Happy Fall

I LOVE Fall. Since today, Sept 22, is the first official day of it (actually in an hour or so from now), here are the results of my recent poll. Almost half of those polled said they were ready. Now vote on my new survey.

The patio used to be safe

My mom lives in a quaint townhouse with a sunny back patio. We often eat out there on warm evenings, celebrate birthdays and such. It is very pleasant. But, this summer, I received a panicked call from her. She had discovered a snake in her courtyard. Now she hates snakes. And I inherited that from her. And as it turns out, this was not just any snake, it was a huge rattlesnake. In fact, when the animal control person came to remove it, she said it was the biggest rattlesnake she had ever seen. It was about six feet long and the rattle alone was about eight inches. It was the width of a man's arm. The next day she looked out on her patio and saw two more (see photo above – this was the smaller one). They were also hauled off by animal control.

So a couple weeks later I am invited to celebrate a family birthday party at my mom's place. Did I mention I hate snakes? As we celebrated my nephew's birthday, my mom says, "Let's go out into the courtyard." I say, "Thanks. I think I'll just sit here in the living room." She says, "It's a nice warm summer evening, let's go out?" I respond, "No I don't think so!" Finally I sat there, craning my neck in every direction the whole evening. I was the picture of discomfort.

Here's the point: The courtyard didn't change. But my perception of it had changed.

I love talking to little kids about God. Their perception of him is huge. To them God is so big. But then we grow up. And life happens. And we encounter a snake or two, or worse, and somewhere along the way our view of God diminishes. Instead life gets big, problems get big, threats loom large … and our view of God changes. He sort of shrinks. And all the while God didn't change … but our perception of Him did.

How we need a clearer picture of God. A.W. Tozer said, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." That is an amazing statement.

How we need a clearer picture of God.

Staff Meeting Done Well

Just finished a staff meeting discussing Will Mancini's book, Church Unique. This is what the conference table looked like after we were done. Loose leaf tea, water, note pads, markers, Bibles. Great meeting.

The cross has always been a non-negotiable to God’s people. In the Bible, Paul says, May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ... Gal 6.14.

But, these days, many people would prefer a God without a cross. Here is the contemporary thinking. Why couldn’t God just forgive and forget? Why can’t God just accept everyone who says they’re sorry and move on? Why not just say we believe in a loving God and a forgiving God – good enough? Who needs a cross anyway?

One reason we need a cross is because forgiveness is always costly. Especially when the stakes are high, especially when the evil is great; to forgive is always costly. Dietrich Bonheoffer, the great Christian leader who was imprisoned and ultimately killed in Nazi German Concentration Camp, put it this way, “Everyone who forgives someone bears the other’s sins.” And we know this from life. When we choose to forgive, it always means absorbing the debt ourselves. It is a form of suffering.

Simply overlooking sin was not an option. Especially when you consider the massive evil of the world. But instead of making us pay, God bore the suffering Himself! The cross is a forever reminder that forgiveness is costly. But God paid the price we could never pay.

That is why I cling to the cross.

Wordle

OK, I found the coolest site online. It takes the text of a message and turns it into a word picture. The more you used the word, the bigger it is. Here's this morning's message as a Wordle.

Fun at Home

Party of Four?

Perhaps what's weirdest about sending our oldest son off to college is that we will be living, travelling, and eating out as a party of four. We've been the five of us for so long! Appreciate your prayers. We are so excited for Chris. He is definitely ready and we are so proud of him. But it's still really tough.

Sabbatical in Review

Also see Some random things I did over Sabbatical.

This summer has been a great break from day-to-day ministry. Although it was busy, I was truly able to disengage from the daily load of ministry and think big thoughts about God, His church, our church, and my calling.

As I reflect on my summer experience, I relate to the words of John Steinbeck. As Steinbeck prepared to journey across the United States he said, "We find after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; the trip takes us." In the same way, as I consider all the ways God worked in my life during this time, I feel as though I didn't take a sabbatical; the sabbatical took me.

What has the Lord done with me over this sabbatical?

• Gave me great times in His Word
  


• Took me through the death of my father.
  
  


• Gave me a lifetime experience with my family in Europe.
  


• Gave me fresh perspective on my strengths and areas of greatest effectiveness through the Pastors on Point Process.
  


• Allowed me to read several great books and visit several churches.
  

How would I define my "point" in ministry?

• God has made me a unique pastor. The themes of my life show that He put me together so that I was made to LEARN, DREAM, INVESTIGATE, EVALUATE, CREATE, ORGANIZE, PLAN, DEVELOP, OVERSEE, INFLUENCE, and COMMUNICATE.
  

• 
  
  I like to minister with and through GOD'S WORD, VALUES; RELATIONAL TEAMS, KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, NEW GROWTH, SHAPE, PEOPLE ON THE FRINGE OF FAITH.
  
  
  

  
  



• 
  
  I work best in ministry environments that are NEW OPPORTUNITIES, UNIQUE, CHALLENGING, CONTAINED, WITH TEAMS, AFFIRMING, WITH MEASURABLE IMPACT, and WITH KEY RESPONSIBILITY FOR RESULTS.
  
  
  

  
  



• 
  
  I am at my best when I play a role of a CATALIZING PRIME MOVER, INFLUENCER, at the FRONT END OF A NEW MOVEMENT.
  
  
  

  
  



• 
  
  So that I can TOGETHER WITH OTHERS, PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN DOING SOMETHING NEW, UNIQUE, AND CREATIVE, WHICH WILL HAVE AN ETERNAL IMPACT.
  
  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

What do I most look forward to in the days ahead with our church?

• Reinforcing our missional mandate (grounded in Scripture).
  


• Solidifying our values (which never change)
  


• Refining our strategy (the map we will follow to fulfill our mission).
  


• Developing our measurements (the way we know we are doing what we planned to do)
  


• And seeing God show up in amazing ways as His compelling cause for us uniquely as a church is unleashed.
  

Some of the random things I got to do over sabbatical

• Read an entire book in one sitting beside a High Sierra river
  
• Took my daughter on a date to a Broadway production of Phantom
  
• Got my motorcycle license
  
• Sputtered around Poway on a borrowed Vespa
  
• Began doing our own yard work
  
• Ate outside a lot
  
• Drove historic Highway 395 with the top off our 1973 Porsche
  
• Drove historic Highway 101 with the top off our 1973 Porsche
  
• Went to a charming Bed and Breakfast in La Jolla with my wife
  
• Got to be "customer of the week" at Peet's Tea House
  
• Drank a lot of tea
  
• Hiked the Torrey Pines cliffs
  
• Touched a 12 foot Python (on purpose)
  
• And a bunch of other stuff

My sabbatical so far…

I'm about ¾ of my way through my sabbatical, so I thought I'd give you a progress report.

What has the Lord done with me over this sabbatical?

• God has confirmed the key passage:

PS 90:1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.

PS 90:12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom
PS 90:17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us-- yes, establish the work of our hands.

• God has walked with me through the death of my father.
  
• God has given me the experience of a lifetime with my family in Europe.
  
• I have been able to go through the Pastors on Point SIMA Process. This is a GREAT process. More on that later.
  
• God has used great passages such as Jeremiah 1:5-10 and many others to reconfirm my call.
  
• Yosemite (still to come)
  

What has been most significant to me?

• Fresh times in God's Word.
  
• Reflecting on an analogy of a lobster shedding its shell. The shell (of any organization … i.e. the church, needs to occasionally be shed in order to grow. So in order to grow we need to ask, "What is just the shell (not the life)? How can we shed it (even if it means becoming vulnerable)?
  
• Reflecting on the organizational life cycle as it relates to my personal gifting.
  
• The values I truly cherish are GOD'S WORD, FAMILY, RELATIONAL TEAMS, KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, NEW GROWTH, SHAPE, and PEOPLE ON THE FRINGE OF FAITH.
  
• And much, much more that I'm not ready to share yet (because it is still percolating). Check back!
  

If you think about praying…

One of the things prescribed for me in the Pastor on Point experience I am going through this summer is a SOLO DAY. This is a day alone with God where I allow the insights He's been teaching me during this sabbatical to trickle down from my head into me heart. My solo day will be tomorrow, July 24. It is very loosely organized but ends with a nice dinner with Cindy. Pray with me that God will use it for His purpose in my life. Thanks!

FOLLOW UP REPORT - Thanks! It was an awesome day. God showed up in some amazing ways!

My dad is a big part of my testimony

With the passing of my father, I've been reflecting on his life a lot. In many ways his testimony has been as strong a part of my testimony as my own. When I became a Christian at age 14, I began praying for my dad's salvation. It was mustard seed faith at best (i.e. tiny) because I couldn't imagine, in my wildest dreams, my dad becoming a follower of Jesus Christ. He was an atheist, and a psychologist grounded in Freudian thought. To see my father not only profess Christ, but also become an enthusiastic disciple, and a student of His word still blows me away. During my last visit with him I read the Bible to him for two hours. He loved it. It gave him great peace. And it reminded me of how vital God's Word in our lives.

Preparation vs. Planning

I am awed by the truth of Will Mancini in his book, Church Unique. Rather than giving you a thorough overview (I can't since I'm still reading it), let me give you some of the "I get it" insights for me.

Mancini shows how the strategic planning revolution of the 60's and 70's is coming to an end. Life just happens too quickly for a ten-year plan. He says, "Leaders must focus more on preparation than on planning. Planning relies on predictability. But preparation helps leaders stay clear amid uncertainty." (More on clarity later). I love this idea because it reminds me that the leader's edge is his/her ability to be adaptive.

Today was my dad's memorial service

Dad was amazing.

I had the privilege to lead the graveside service. For those who couldn't be there, but wanted to, here's what I said:

Welcome
Let me begin, on behalf of our family by saying, “Thank You” for being here today. Your love and support mean a lot.

And I am most grateful that God is here.

In the Bible we read these words: God is the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort…. And He is the one … who comforts us in all our troubles, 2CO 1:3-4

That God is available today. PRAY

We have gathered to remember the life of our dad. Neville LeRoi Kyle.

Survived by…

Sister – Marguerite
My mom, Joan.
His Kids, Robert, Haydee, Jenny, Lauren, and myself.
And 6 grandchildren. Christopher, Anne, David, Corrina, Trygve, and Thorsen.

I’ve been thinking about Bouquet Canyon Drive. Dad and I took a reminiscent trip down it a few years back. It was the road he drove my mom to the hospital where I was born. It is a curvy road but he drove it straight. By the end of the day he would forever be cast in this new role – father.

As one of his 5 kids we cherished our remarkable, colorful, gifted, extravagant dad.

We marveled at stories of him.
· Enduring the great depression
· Newsie selling newspapers
· travelling with the circus
· working on a fishing boat
· walking the hills of Griffith Park
· painting murals
· serving in Coast Guard during WWII
· going to art school in Hollywood
· Graduating from USC
· making King Kameamea surf boards in Hawaii
· working for Sheriff’s Dept in a prison
· getting his PhD in Nottingham England
· becoming a world class Psychologist
· living on a boat
· travelling the globe
· and always, always loving the high life, fine clothes, and good food. (in fact, dad always loved to dress up – I feel strangely under-dressed even though I put a handkerchief in pocket – for him – one of his).

He was a remarkable, colorful, gifted, extravagant man. And we cherished him.


One of the treasures we came across as we cleaned out his apartment was his high school yearbook. Many fellow students mentioned his artistic ability.

Dad above all was an artist. His flair early on.

But my favorite comment in his yearbook – a stern looking teaching – who wrote just a few words. “Bob, when will you reform?”

You see, in addition to an artist, he was a rascal.

In fact, dad was a latecomer to the Christian journey.

I remember the week we spent together in England in 1985. I was on my way to Jerusalem … he was on his way to Austria … I to the homeland of Jesus – he to the homeland of Freud … and both destinations were very reflective of our lives at the time … and it worked out for us to spend a week together in England …

We talked and discussed and debated Christianity … I waved goodbye in Heathrow Airport … not knowing the next time I saw him he’d be a Christian.

Dad was a latecomer to the Christian family – but made up for it in last 20 years.

In fact, this is his Bible. I played a trick on my kids asking them if find his favorite verse – saying it is the one that is underlined. As you look at it, every verse is underlined. In the New Testament they have been underlined 3 or 4 times.

He told me God’s Word was his constant companion.

My last time with him we simply spent 2 hours reading scripture. He lifted and lowered his hand like symphony conductor… sometimes mouthing the words …

We read one of his favorite verses which is the end of Isa 40 and I feel it is appropriate to read it now:


ISA 40:26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one,
and calls them each by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing.

ISA 40:27 Why do you say, O Jacob,
and complain, O Israel,
"My way is hidden from the LORD;
my cause is disregarded by my God"?

ISA 40:28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

ISA 40:29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

ISA 40:30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

ISA 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

That is where our hope is today!

Young or old we grow weary … and eventually we all fall … as dad finally did …

But our hope is in the Lord who promises that one day we will soar with wings of eagles!

Dad struggled to walk in his final years … but God promises now he runs!

None of this RIP stuff for the Christian. He is walking, running, soaring!
___________.

I feel a little like the angel at the tomb of Jesus – same announcement –

He is not here! He is risen!

Because of the resurrection of Jesus – same is true!

We take care of his body … because that is how we knew him and loved him in this life …

But this, all of this, is only to honor his body …

He is not here! He is risen!

He is with his father – God – and with his Lord – the Lord Jesus Christ!

Walking, Running, Soaring!
_____________.

One more thing:

To his kids and grandkids:

I believe Dad would want me to say thank you for your care.

Dad loved to write: On his Blog he wrote this about God’s gifts in his life:

“Not far away, within minutes, are kith and kin, dear people who care about me; they would come if I called. From some immeasurable richness came children … and children's children -- a family I always yearned after, but never quite dared to believe that I had, before now. …Happiness is not for the squeamish...These are gifts that I usually dare not look at directly: I glance sideways and away. I know they are not deserved.”

Dad would want me to say to each of you, especially kids and grandkids, that he loves you and proud of you and knows you were there for him.

And he would encourage you to cherish God’s good gifts ...and to trust God the Father of Lord Jesus Christ as he did.

A Jewish view of Sabbath

Just finished reading Abraham Joshua Heschel classic book on The Sabbath. I think what I appreciate the most is the idea that, while many religions think of God in Space (and thus set up shrines, cathedrals, and altars); the God of the Bible also occupies Time. He is the God of seasons and rhythm. Good stuff.

Also, for Heschel, the Sabbath is a time to let go of both work AND worry and trust God for what he has done and is doing. I like it.

Europe was awesome!

We had the time of our lives! Here are some photos:

My dad

The day before we returned from Europe I received news that my dad died. He was 85 years old and a latecomer to the Christian family. Nonetheless he cramed a lifetime of Christian experience into his last 20 years and now he is with the Lord.

I loved him. He loved me. He will be missed.

A new insight into a familiar verse

Today my Sabbatical Pastor's on Point plan led me to reflect on EPH 2.10. It is a very familiar passage to me because it is the theme of the SHAPE Seminar. But I love the freshness of the Amplified Bible which I haven’t looked at before. Here it is:

For we are God's [own]handiwork (his workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus[born anew] that we may do those good works that God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which he prepared ahead of time]that we should walk in them [living the good life that he prearranged and made ready for us to live]. AMPLIFIED BIBLE -- EPH 2.10


· First, I like the emphasis on recreated (and born anew) as opposed to simply created. Both I’m sure are true but this connects me to the new work God is doing by his Spirit in me that wasn’t there before I became a Christian.

· Also, I really like the emphasis on predestined paths. I checked it out in the original Greek. Turns out, the last word in the Greek and also the NIV is “do.” In Greek it is pripateo which means to do, or to walk, or to live. So this is how the Amplified gets paths (from walk) and also good life (from live). I love the emphasis on the good life walking in His paths blazed ahead of time for me!

You WILL see me at Peet's

Earlier I blogged about how you're likely to see me at Peet's Coffee and Tea (directions here). I went the other day and ran into the Hulme's from church. Today when I went, I was asked to be the customer of the week. Which means starting tomorrow my photo will be displayed and I get a free tea everyday. Nice!!!!! I said you’d bump into me at Peet’s and yep you will!

What's also cool is someone gave me a Peet's gift card for an early birthday present (thanks cw) so I can't buy tea in this town!

Staycation

One of the latest buzz words coming into American lingo is "staycation" -- a vacation spent close to home. With the ridiculous price of gas, many people are staying home. Of the eight weeks I'll be away from professional ministry (six sabbatical weeks and two vacation weeks), five of them will be spent at home.

So new strategies need to be in place to still get the rest benefit. Here's a few I hope to employ:

• Surround myself with competent people. Anyone who has met our ministry staff knows what I'm talking about. They will do a stellar job while I'm gone.
• I'm going to try not to answer work-related email (I have a plan to forward them to people that can help). In fact, most of time my computer is on, I will have my email program closed.
• Take in the sights of San Diego. Do a few things the tourists do.
• Break habits. I'll try to change habits of routes I drive, places I eat, etc. I'll try to do new things, as if this is a new town to me. (One habit I won't break is Peet's Tea - so if you want to bump into me, good chance it will be there).
• Focus on relationships over tasks when I'm with church friends (yes, I want to hang out with church friends since almost all my friends ARE from church). I'll just do my best to avoid shop talk.
• Appreciate and notice nature even in the suburb
• Goof off without guilt.

What ideas do you have for making the most of a staycation?

Lucado insights

Here's some connection points for me from Max Lucado's Cure for the Common Life; Chaps 1-3.

· God is writing the story of my life in spite of my attempts to write my own.
· Don’t worry about skills you don’t have, “Kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you …” 2 Tim. 1.6
· Heaven’s calendar has seven Sundays a week. God sanctifies each day.
· I was born pre-packed. Don’t live out of someone else’ bag. Church leaders assign luggage from the pulpit (and we shouldn’t)
· William Wordsworth “The child is the father of the man.”

If you don't understand that last quote, ask me.


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Kicking off a Sabbatical

I’m sort of feeling ready for this – sort of not. Here goes.

Scripture:

PS 90:1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place
throughout all generations.
PS 90:12 Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom
PS 90:17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands for us--
yes, establish the work of our hands.


Observations:

Psalm 90.1 - God has always been a place of rest for his people – every generation – but also every season of my life. Thank you for this new season.

Psalm 90.12 Teach me – that’s my prayer.

Psalm 90.17 I’m hoping that by the end of this process I will be engaged in work that is effective, lasting, established. My sweet spot. The slogan of Pastors on Point is, “Taking Pastors Out of Their Element … and Into Their Essence.” That sounds awesome.

My focus here at the beginning is decompressing and I’m not sure I’m there yet (with a couple more things to do). Actually, the only requirement to be ready for decompression is to be compressed. Which I am. So I guess I am ready. Ready for YOU, God, to decompress me.

Reflection on Jeremiah 33.3 `Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'

What an awesome invitation, here at the beginning! That is exactly how I feel today – calling upon the Lord a lot and not knowing what I’m suppose to get! Awesome.

Reflection on Psalm 138.8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
your love, O LORD, endures forever--
do not abandon the works of your hands.

This too is an awesome promise. My prayer earlier was that God would establish the work of my hands (Psalm 90.17), but here the focus is on the work of God’s hands for me. What a great reminder that this is a time for God to do a work in me, before He does one through me. And, also, I notice between the purpose of God for me and the work of God in me is the Forever Love of God.

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Rest of the Summer

Journey along with me this summer:

After 14+ years serving at Green Valley Church, I have the opportunity to enjoy a second sabbatical (my first one was about 7 years ago). I will be gone for six weeks of sabbatical and two weeks of vacation starting June 18.

I'm really excited about participatng in Pastors on Point which is a story-based discovery process that unpacks a person’s satisfying achievements from throughout their life to uncover their essential “operating system” in terms of energizing circumstances, gifts and motivated abilities, engaging subject matter, ideal roles and even overall purpose in work and life.

I'm also thrilled because I'll be able to lead a group from our church to Scotland, England, and France. I also plan to read, reflect, and visit several churches and talk with godly mentors.

My objectives:

• To experience a mid-ministry tune up, recharge, and refocusing as I enter my second set of 15 years as a lead pastor.

• To better understand and appreciate my strengths and implement a plan to leverage them for greater effectiveness in ministry and life.

• To better understand my stress points and implement a plan to minimize them for greater effectiveness in ministry and life.

• To include my wife, Cindy, in the discovery process.

Here's a cool quote I relate to: Speaking of the sabbatical his church gave him, Pastor Mark Buchanan writes:

“No, I don’t deserve it. Like being born in peacetime and not war, like being forgiven, or kissed, or told you have beautiful eyes. I never earned a minute of it. I don’t deserve a scrap of it. But I feel deeply obliged to the people in my church who have allowed me it. Obliged, not to come back smarter, or thinner, or more eloquent, or more studied up, though all of that could help. The obligation I feel is not to pay them back. These things don’t work that way, on some barter system where the church trades several months of leave in exchange for shorter, pithier sermons. The obligation I feel, rather, is to come back restored.”

Here’s how you can track with me:

Read with me. I've selected The Rest of God; Restoring Your Soul by Restoring Sabbath, by Mark Buchanan, as the book I'd like people to read along with me. Mark Buchanan has been described as the "best new Christian author you’ve never heard of." You can get your copy at the usual places: ISBN-10:0849918707.

For extra credit (or if you just like to read good books), I'm also reading the following books;

The Sabbath– Abraham Joshua Heschel
Church Unique – Will Mancini
The Reformed Pastor – Richard Baxter
Hidden in Plain Sight – Mark Buchanan
Why We’re Not Emergent (by Two Guys who Should Be) – Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck
Cure for the Common Life – Max Lucado


Blog with me. Check back her often as I will be chronicling my experiences and reflections.


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Nick's Testimony

This is the story of Nick that I featured last Snday morning:

Telling Ourselves the Truth

Throughout Romans 8 Paul uses phrases like, I consider, we know, and I am convinced. Each is an act of the mind to convince the heart of the truth God has revealed to us. God longs for us to think about our lives the way He does.

I am currently reading a book by Mark Buchanan in which he reminds us of the movie, A Beautiful Mind. It is the true story a brilliant mathematician, John Nash, who, despite his schizophrenia, won a Nobel Prize in 1994 for his contributions to mathematics.

Because of his disease, John often felt trapped a world that only existed in his mind: his closest friend, his niece, the CIA Director who employed him for undercover assignments – all fictions of his broken mind.

But over the years, John was able to live with his disease by disciplined himself to no longer heed the voices that his mind invented. Even though they still appeared as real to him… he refused to listen. He defied them. Walked right past them.

It is a great way to think about the truth of Romans 8. This world lies to us all the time. It sets up facades. But, in the midst of the craziness of this world, God invites us to embrace the truth of His word.

For I am convinced that [nothing] will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. That’s the truth.

Thrill of Victory and Agony of Defeat

It was ABC Wide World of Sports that coined the memorable phrase: The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. I guess life is filled with both. But in one of the most profound verses in the Bible, God promises that, even in the most defeating times, followers of Jesus Christ can still experience the thrill of victory.

Consider this: "… we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37

Now I really like words, so, humor me here. When you look at the phrase, more than conquerors, in the original Greek it is just one word: hupernikome. Huper, where we get our word, hyper. And Nikome which means Victor or Conqueror (as in the brand name – Nike).

Those who trust Jesus are Hyper-conquerors! It sounds like the name of a super hero! Or the promise of a sports drink commercial! And a closer look at this verse and its context, reveals that this victory is related to something very specific – the confidence that nothing will separate us from God’s love.

Here’s the deal. Life is filled with battles. And in every battle, your spiritual enemy has a singular goal … to separate you from experiencing God’s love. But what Paul wants us to comprehend is that in every one of life’s battles, we win! Why? Because we still have God’s love. No matter what, we are Super-Conquerors. Nothing can sever us from the unwavering affection of God.

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Do the Math

Here’s a question you ought to ask yourself often: If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31.

It’s an astonishing question. Look closely. The question is not simply, “Who can be against us?” That is not the question; for undeniably we face all kinds of opposition. Indeed the world, the flesh and the devil are marshaled against us. God never promised that we would not face resistance in this life.

Rather the question is, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” The Bible does not promise that we won’t have any opposition. Instead it promises is that we won’t have any opposition that matters.

No matter what you face as followers of Jesus Christ, God is on your side. And God + You = a Majority. It’s worth pondering this truth everyday.

If God is for us, who can be against us?


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Do all things work for good?

Sorry, I've been away from posting for awhile as my laptop was stolen. I'm back. Here's my latest eCouragement:
__________________________

Romans 8:28 is one of the most recognized scriptural addresses in the entire Bible. “All things work together for good.”

But is that true? Or just naïve? Deep down, if we are honest, we sometimes wonder. We think of young mothers who died of cancer, teens who were hit by drunk drivers, child victims of abuse. How can that be good?

As it turns out, the Bible never teaches that all the things we face in life are good. Certainly much is not. Rather it teaches that in all things God is working for His good purpose in us, and that good purpose is defined in the often overlooked following verse: Romans 8:29. "For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son…”

God is at work in all things to bring about the best good that is possible ... that we would become more like Jesus.

Now, no one in our generation knows what Jesus looks like. But God has seen fit to allow Christ’s likeness to be reflected in His followers. His goal is that we might become more and more like His own Son in attitude, authenticity, and action.

That is God’s greatest good for us. Whatever we face, we can know that God is always working His good in us.

Adopted!

I love the story of two little first-grade boys who were brothers. On the first day of school, the children were introducing themselves. One of the boys said, "Me and Jackson are brothers. One of us is adopted and one is not, but I can't remember which is which."

That attitude conveys the full-fledged embrace that we have received from God as He welcomes us into His family. He actually treats us, and see sus, and loves us, in the same way He does his Only Begotten Son.

In fact, the Bible says, You have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"… Romans 8:15. And it is because of this adoption, that we can experience a deep intimacy with the Father. As Christians we don't address God as "Your Highness" or "Your Holiness." We call God, “Abba” which, in Jesus’ day, was a very intimate expression; much like we might say, “Daddy" or "Papa”.

Since God has adopted us as sons and daughters, we can embrace Him as our Father. We can run to Him when we are hurt, ask lots of questions when we are confused, and trust Him when He says everything is going to be OK.

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I've been tagged

I’ve been "tagged" by a friend, Jenetta, from church. I need to answer the following questions:

What was I doing 10 years ago?

Wow, that seems like a decade ago. Fairly new to San Diego we had three kids 7 years old and under. We were still struggling to let go of our oldest son for a full day of school and over sending our daughter to kindergarten … excited about being in a new facility at church … discovering Padres baseball and planning a trip to Hawaii for the first time ever.

Things on my to-do list now: (OK, these are more like my values)

1. Seek to live as a channel of God's GRACE -- lavishly receiving it and lavishly expressing it.

2. Seek to live in the PRESENT tense -- enjoying all God has for me in the moment, and redeeming the time with others.

3. Seek to live by FAITH -- seeing the unseen God in my circumstances and trusting His sovereign control.

4. Seek to live in the SPIRIT -- relying on His power, direction, and joy.

5. Seek to put others before myself -- knowing that as I LOVE them I am loving myself and God.


Things on my to-do list for my lifetime: (in no particular order)

1.Travel to Europe with my whole family (scheduled this summer)
2. Celebrate 50 years of a great marriage (2037)
3. Own a VW bus again
4. Have croissants and strong coffee in a Paris sidewalk cafe (I don’t even like coffee)
5.Swim with dolphins
6.Visit Israel again
7.Successfully spend my whole career as a lead pastor at the same church
8.Have a role in one of my great grandchildren's weddings (that puts me at about 95 years old)
9. Coach a team for one of my grandkids
10. Own a vacation home
11. Continue to take our kids to Disneyland often even when they are adults
12. Continue to go to Yosemite at least once every year for the rest of my life
13. Celebrate 25 years of marriage with Cindy at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite
14. See a game at every professional baseball park in California, Washington, and Arizona. Also visit Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, and Wrigley Field
15. Have a bit part in a stage play that people pay money to see and have it run for at least a month
16. Retire where I can hear the ocean waves crash at night
17. Put the SHAPE Seminar online and have an international impact
18. When I retire, hand off a thriving, healthy, influential local church to a pastor to take it into the next season

Bad Habits:

1. Worry
2. People pleasing
3. Watching too much Padres baseball on TV

Places I've lived: (All time favorites in bold)

1. Lancaster, CA
2. Nottingham, ENGLAND
3. Milwaukee, WI
4. Sherman Oaks, CA
5. Lynwood, CA
6. Fountain Valley, CA
7. Santa Barbara, CA
8. San Francisco, CA
9. Pasadena, CA
10. London, ENGLAND
11. Laguna Beach, CA
12. Mission Viejo, CA
13. San Diego, CA

Things most people probably don't know about me:

1. I’ve never eaten a Churro
2. I love loose leaf tea
3. I am a big Jesus Christ Superstar the Rock Opera fan
4. I have a doctorate in Christian ministry and leadership
5. I can toss a pizza from a batch of homemade dough

Ok- so I need to tag some people now. Check their blogs in a few days to see if they did it :)

Jon
Daveed
Deyl
Paige
Ted
Josh
Ryan & Melissa
Kevin & Didi